Tag: Rolling distribution

NEWS 20180410 about exGENT (Gentoo) 64 bit
I’ve made a new version of exGENT with only a few necessary packages pre-installed. It uses LXQt as Desktop environment and kernel 4.15.14-aufs-gentoo-exgent. The ISO file is of 1490 MB due to the fact that I’ve included the kernel sources. They are needed for installation of certain software. Despite this exGENT version 180410 runs surprisingly fast from DVD or USB. Even in VirtualBox and VMware. Faster than most other Linux live systems. I call my new version exGENT 2018 LXQt Live DVD. It replaces version 170407 and 170412. Those versions were too old for upgrading. I had to start over and build version 180410 from “scratch”. All installed packages in exGENT have been updated to the latest available version by 180410. Study the full package list.

What’s new in exGENT Build 180410?
The boot loader Grub Legacy has been replaced by Grub2. MOST IMPORTANT: In exGENT versions before 170309 the file system wasn’t writable when running exGENT live (from DVD). Now you can emerge (install) new programs/packages even while running the system from a DVD or USB stick. If you do that and later decide to install exGENT to hard drive all your changes will follow! Furthermore you can install/transfer exGENT to a USB stick with the dd command in Linux or use Etcher and Rufus in Windows. Such installations were impossible before. NOTE: I have not installed Google Chrome. It’s not needed anymore, since Netflix nowadays runs very well in Firefox. About the LXQt Desktop environment: LXQt is a lightweight Qt desktop environment. It will not get in your way. It will not hang or slow down your system. It is focused on being a classic desktop with a modern look and feel.
Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.15.14-aufs-gentoo-exgent corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 4.15.14.
Quick install to Hard Drive
exGENT Linux can be installed to hard drive in 2 – 8 min. (Depending on computer type). This means that all of you who might hesitate to perform a normal Gentoo installation – which can take up to a couple of days – now have the chance to get this great Linux system (Gentoo) installed on your computers very easy. Read below on how the installation works.

UPGRADE the System
The exGENT System (version 180410) is in very good shape, since I, without problems, have been able to update the whole system with the following commands:

NOTE 1: Before running the above three commands you’ll have to run the commands emerge –sync followed by emerge —oneshot portage

NOTE 2: After a hard drive installation of exGENT you should run the above commands at least every month (to keep the system in good shape).

SPOTIFY
You can easy and quick install Spotify in exGENT. Just run the command emerge spotify. The installation takes about 1 min.NOTE: Spotify is pre-installed in Build 180410.

Rolling distribution
Gentoo/exGENT is a rolling distribution, which implies that once you have installed the system on the hard drive there is no need for re-installations (which otherwise is common in the Linux world).

EXTON OpSuS Tumbleweed Budgie is based on openSUSE Tumbleweed, which is a rolling distribution. I.e. no need for new installations. Just run the command sudo zypper dup and you will always get the latest stable packages/kernels.

ABOUTEXTON OpSuS Tumbleweed Budgie uses kernel 4.14.14-1. Desktop environment: Budgie 10.4 Desktop. Installed programs: Among many other programs, Firefox, Gimp, SMPlayer, NetworkManager, GParted and LibreOffice. You’ll run the system as root or as the ordinary user live. Root’s and live’s password is root/live. EXTON OpSuS can easily be installed to hard drive (of those who so desire). You’ll have to do it manually though – please read below. All programs have been updated to the latest available stable version as of January 25, 2018. The system language is English.

Installing to a USB stick with persistence and then to hard drive
After installing EXTON OpSuS Tumbleweed to a USB stick, you can change the system completely and then install the system (manually) to a hard drive. You can also continue to have it only on the USB stick. If you install EXTON OpSuS on a large enough (and fast) USB stick, you can go ahead and install for example LXDE, Mate or Xfce4. All your system changes are automatically saved to the USB stick. Note that you’ll have to use a different/new USB stick if you want to run EXTON OpSuS on another computer. That’s because certain files necessary for the configuration will be destroyed after the first boot. I.e.: You’ll have to use the same USB stick on the same computer all the time.

Manual installation of EXTON OpSuS from USB stick to hard drivePREREQUISITE: You’ll have to have at least one Linux system installed on your computer and use Grub2 as boot loader. If so then follow my INSTRUCTION.

NEWS about ArchEX 171129A new version of ArchEX is ready! In this new version, which I call ArchEX 2018, I have added the Deepin 15.5 (latest) Desktop environment. Deepin (made in China!) is devoted to providing a beautiful, easy to use, safe and reliable system for global users. I came to like Deepin very much when I installed it in ExTiX 18.0. So I thought why not install Deepin also in ArchEX?

NEWS 171129 about Calamares InstallerI’ve finally managed to make Calamares 3.1.8 (The universal installer framework) work without problems/issues. Calamares 3.1.8 totally new. Released November 14, 2017. This version gives you more control over the installation process. Now you can use Calamares to install ArchEX in any language. The boot loader Grub2 (which can be installed during the installation of ArchEX) will also work without problems.

WHAT IS ArchEX?
ArchEX 64 bit is a new (171129) Linux live DVD based on Arch Linux. Arch motto is KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). ArchEX uses kernel 4.13.12-1-ARCH the Deepin 15.5 and the LXQt 0.12 Desktop environments. Deepin 15.5 Desktop (made in China!) is devoted to providing a beautiful, easy to use, safe and reliable system for global users. About LXQt: LXQt is a lightweight Qt desktop environment. It will not get in your way. It will not hang or slow down your system. It is focused on being a classic desktop with a modern look and feel.

INSTALLED SOFTWARE
Among many other programs, Firefox 57.0 (for Netflix), Gimp, Spotify, GCC, Wicd and GParted – study this package LIST.
WHO should run Arch Linux?
My answer: The system fits the “advanced” Linux user/enthusiast, who would be willing to run an occasional command from time to time.

BENEFITS of ArchEX/Arch Linux
“Cutting Edge”-software and speed. You will for example always run the latest kernel if you upgrade ArchEX/Arch (for example) every month.

WHAT IS ArchEX dual?
ArchEX 64bit/32bit dual is a new (160724) Linux live DVD based on Arch Linux. Arch motto is KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). ArchEX uses kernel 4.6.4-1-ARCH (latest) and the LXDE Desktop environment.

INSTALLATION to hard drive
ArchEX can easily be installed to hard drive of those who so desire. Use ArchEX Installer. I.e. while running ArchEX live from the DVD. Read this INSTRUCTION.

Install ArchEX to a USB Pen Drive with persistence
Please read my INSTRUCTION. All your system changes will be saved directly on the stick.

Rolling distribution
Arch Linux/ArchEX are rolling distributions, which implies that once you have installed the system on the hard drive there is no need for re-installations (which otherwise is common in the Linux world).

WHO should run Arch Linux?
My answer: The system fits the “advanced” Linux user/enthusiast, who would be willing to run an occasional command from time to time.

BENEFITS of ArchEX/Arch Linux
“Cutting Edge”-software and speed. You will for example always run the latest kernel if you upgrade ArchEX/Arch (for example) every month.

About DebEX Barebone, DebEX Gnome and DebEX KDE Linux 64 bitAll three systems/distributions are a based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8.1). There are also certain elements of Debian Sid (unstable). Xfce4.12 (released 150228 after about three years work!) is used as Desktop environment in DebEX Barebone. It aims to be fast and low on system resources, while still being visually appealing and user friendly. Gnome 3.14 is used in DebEX Gnome. KDE 4.14.3 and KDE Plasma Desktop 5:84 is used in DebEX KDE. DebEX Barebone uses “my” special kernel 4.2.0-7-exton (equivalent to Kernel.org’s stable kernel 4.2). DebEX Gnome and DebEX KDE use “my” special kernel 4.1.0-3-exton equivalent to Kernel.org’sstable kernel 4.1.3. The system language is English (in all three versions of DebEX).

What’s new in kernel 4.2? One million new lines of code in kernel 4.2! (The biggest kernel release ever according to Linus Torvalds).NEWS 150902 about DebEX Barebone (Xfce4)A new version of DebEX Barebone with Xfce 4.12 and kernel 4.2.0-7-exton (equivalent to Kernel.org’s stable kernel 4.2) is ready. I have installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphic driver 352.41. Read below about how to use it. All packages have been updated to the latest version as of September 2, 2015. Announcement about Xfce 4.12, released 150228: Today, after 2 years and 10 months of work, we are pleased to announce the release of the Xfce desktop 4.12, a new stable version that supersedes Xfce 4.10. This long period can only be explained by how awesome Xfce 4.10 was. But as all things, it needed some refreshing – and for that we saw lots of new contributors providing valuable feedback, features and bugfixes. As always, Xfce follows its steady pace of evolution without revolution that seems to match our users’ needs.
Runs from RAM
DebEX Barebone can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 2 (Copy to RAM). When the system has booted up you can remove the disc (DVD) or USB stick. You’ll need at least 2 GB RAM to run DebEX from RAM.

Rolling distributions
Debian Jessie/DebEX are rolling distributions, which implies that once you have installed the system on the hard drive there is no need for re-installations (which otherwise is common in the Linux world). This means, for example, that you can go on and install Gnome 3.14 or/and KDE 4.14.3 in DebEX Barebone/KDE. I.e. the latest versions (as of 150831) of Gnome and KDE.